I was following the matches in the Championship today with interest.  It always seems to be such a tight league, and this season is no different.  What do today’s results tell us?

Derby 2 – 1 Coventry

It’s been pretty tough going for Nigel Clough at Derby so far, with an injury list more worthy of a battle field than a football pitch.  So this was a vital win on Friday night, and moves them up to 17th.  Two goals from Rob Hulse did the job, and the Rams now lie one place behind Coventry on goal difference.

Blackpool 4 – 1 Scunthorpe

Comfortable in the end for Blackpool, but they had to come from behind in the second half.  This win sees them move up to 5th.  Scunthorpe remain just above the relegation zone.

Crystal Palace 1 – 0 Middlesborough

It doesn’t get easier for ‘Boro and Gordon Strachan as yet. Palace will be delighted with a win that keeps them in touch with the trailing pack in 13th.  Middlesborough are now down to 10th and it is looking bleak at present.  But they have enough quality to keep them in the hunt, so expect them to be there or there abouts in May.

Leicester 1 – 2 West Brom

This looked to be a tough match for West Brom, but they have picked up a great result.  This win gives them a 4 point cushion in 2nd place and just 2 behind leaders Newcastle.  Appear to have overcome their recent blip, and on this showing appear a good bet for promotion.

Leicester will be disappointed not to get anything from this fixture, this being their second home league defeat.  But they are well on their way to establishing themselves in the top half, and this is a good season so far for the newly promoted team.

Newcastle 3 – 1 Peterborough

No surprises here as Newcastle remain 2 points clear at the top.  Peterborough drop to bottom, and have a long hard struggle ahead.

The first match played in the newly renamed SportDirect.com @ St. James’ Park stadium.  Outstanding muppetry from Ashley & Co.

Notts Forest 1 – 1 Bristol City

Forest thought they had won it when Wes Morgan gave them the lead in the 85th minute, but they were denied by a last minute equalizer from Danny Haynes.  City will be the happier after a result that leaves both teams just below the playoff places.

Plymouth 2 – 1 Doncaster

A big result for Argyle against Doncaster, and they are now out of the bottom three.  1-1 at half time, but the sending off of Donny’s Martin Woods, and Rory Fallon’s 71st minute finish were the key moments.  Both teams are struggling, but the table is so tight that one win could move either of them up by six or seven places.

Reading 1 – 1 Ipswich

A draw doesn’t really do much for either of these strugglers, although Roy Keane’s men have at least moved off the bottom of the table at the expense of Peterborough.  Reading had the best of the possession, but only 4 of 18 shots were on target, and they drop into the bottom three due to Plymouth’s win (see above).

Sheff Wed 1 – 2 QPR

This result moves QPR up to 4th, and they have enough attacking flair to suggest they are as likely as any to challenge the top 2 places.  After all the uncertainty with ownership and the disappointment of last season, they are on the up.  Wednesday remain 14th, and might well still be there at the end of the season.

Swansea 3 – 2 Cardiff

The South Wales derby.  Swansea are on a great run at present, unbeaten in 10, and are now just outside the playoff places.  Both these teams could be in the playoff places come the end of the season, but both could just as easily miss out.  Cardiff still more likely to challenge, but Darren Pratley’s brace was too much for them today.

Watford 2 – 0 Preston

Both teams are now on 24 points, and 12th and 11th respectively.  Watford’s win came through goals from Heidar Helguson and Tom Cleverley, and their prospects have been boosted by the form of loan players Cleverley (Man U) and Henri Lansbury (Arsenal).

The Table

So Newcastle and West Brom have breathing space at the top, on 33 and 31 points respectively, with 2nd-6th all having 27.  3rd through 13th places are separated by just 5 points, and it is similarly close at the bottom with 6 points separating Sheffield Wednesday (14th) and bottom club Peterborough.

Click here for the full table (BBC)

Player of the day – Darren Pratley

Created the first goal, and scored two more himself from midfield as Swansea City beat Cardiff 3-2 in the South Wales derby.